Ahead of Spain's snap election, 58% fear armed conflict with Morocco over Ceuta
A Politico poll finds 58% of Spaniards fear tensions with Morocco over Ceuta and Melilla could spiral into armed conflict within a decade. Meanwhile, EU leaders are set to discuss new ways of backing Ukraine at the European Council summit.
Spain is heading into a snap election at the end of next month, and concerns about relations with neighbouring Morocco are part of the picture. Exclusive polling from Politico Europe shows that 58% of Spaniards fear tensions with Morocco over the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla could spiral into an armed conflict within the next 10 years. The figure shows what is on voters' minds in a country about to go to the polls.
Ukraine support on the European Council agenda
The subject was discussed in the latest episode of Politico Europe's Brussels Playbook podcast, hosted by Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart. The episode also covers the fact that the United States is looking to Russia for diesel, while European leaders are doubling down on their support for Ukraine. The hosts explain the ways the EU plans to help Kyiv. The topic is expected to dominate talks at this week's European Council summit, where EU leaders meet.
Related Politico articles cited in the episode include one reporting that Ukraine's foreign minister argues Russia's war budget makes the case for using frozen assets now, and another on the EU's approval of its biggest sanctions package against Russia since the invasion began.
Other topics in the episode
Politico is also launching Madrid Playbook today, aimed at Spanish-speaking audiences. Finally, the episode notes that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen smiled in influencer videos filmed after her State of the Union speech, but behind closed doors her communications team was furious.
